Nexia and Russell Bedford add firms in Albania and Kosovo
Accounting and consulting networks Nexia International and Russell Bedford have expanded their footprint in Eastern Europe with the addition of member firms in Albania and Kosovo.
Kosovo-based Audit Group, which has two partners and eight members of staff, has been admitted into Nexia International’s network. With a fee income of around $3.6 billion, generated by over 240 members firms with 660+ offices, Nexia International is the 9th largest accountancy network globally.
The local Kosovan professional services firm provides services in audit, tax and accounting, business consulting, and internal audit services, to clients in sectors such as agriculture, construction, energy, and non-profit. “We look forward to working with Nexia member firms and embracing new opportunities to provide services to international businesses to help grow our business,” said Xhevdet Beqiri, a partner at Audit Group.
Meanwhile, in neighbouring Albania, Russell Bedford has added Tirana-based Albanian Consultancy to its European network. The local company offers services in accounting, bookkeeping, tax compliance, tax consulting, management consulting and auditing.
“Our membership of this expanding international network is a proud moment for our group, providing the right amount of motivation to take Albanian Consultancy to the next level of its development. We look forward to connecting with other members within the network and to creating opportunities for supporting out mutual clients,” remarked Albanian Consultancy’s partner Gentian Barjamaj.
Last year the government of Albania called in Big Four professional services firm EY to help officials combat tax evasion and stamp out a black economy worth a third of the country’s GDP, as the country vies for EU membership.
The move by Russell Bedford comes shortly after the firm added a new member firm in Tblisi, Georgia, as well as in the Netherlands.
Albania and Kosovo, countries with a population of 2.8 million and 1.8 million respectively, are among the smallest professional services markets in Eastern Europe. The region’s management consulting industry is valued at around €1.4 billion.